Tech AD: Knight agrees to contract extension

Athletic director Gerald Myers told The Associated Press on Wednesday the agreement probably will be signed next week. Knight's contract pays him $250,000 a year and runs through May 2006.

Knight needs 48 victories to overtake Dean Smith (879) as the winningest coach in Division I. He has led Texas Tech to three consecutive seasons of at least 20 wins and has taken the Red Raiders to postseason play each year.

"I'm pleased with the direction of our program," Myers said. "He's done a great job turning everything around. I think the future really looks good for us."

Knight is vacationing in Canada.

"I look forward to doing this a long time," Knight said in Wednesday's Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. "This is the best possible situation for me as long as I coach."

He will begin his fourth season at Tech - his 39th overall - with 832 wins. He is the victory leader among active coaches following the retirement of Jimmy Phelan of Mount St. Mary's in 2003.